Staff Wireless Engineer - RF/Homologation

Rivian; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 126,000 - 209,000; Full time

Job summary

Rivian is seeking a Hardware Design Engineer to own electrical system design, bring-up, and validation for current and next-generation Rivian electric vehicles. You will influence design, solve HW/SW integration challenges, and drive prototyping through manufacturing.

The role requires MSc in Electrical Engineering, strong RF/OTA expertise, and hands-on testing with cross-functional teams across development stages.

Qualifications

• MSc or higher in Electrical Engineering.
• Experience defining wireless requirements and homologation processes.
• Proficiency with RF measurement equipment and validation systems.
• Hands-on OTA testing and antenna design knowledge.
• Strong cross-functional communication and reporting skills.

Responsibilities

• RF & Wireless Design & Debugging: Lead wireless system requirements, RF trade-offs, debugging, desense mitigation, and vehicle integration.
• Test & Homologation: Develop test plans and lead bench, chamber, and vehicle RF testing and homologation.
• Production & Validation: Define EOL testing setups, ensure manufacturability, and manage design releases into PLM and docs.

Skills

Wireless design

Homologation & testing

RF measurement

PLM tools

MATLAB & scripting

OTA testing

Antenna design

Travel flexibility

Education

MSc in Electrical Engineering

Tools

VNA

Spectrum analyzers

Power meters

HFSS

CST

MATLAB

Python

Scripting

Job description

About Rivian

Rivian is on a mission to keep the world adventurous forever. This goes for the emissions-free Electric Adventure Vehicles we build, and the curious, courageous souls we seek to attract.

As a company, we constantly challenge what’s possible, never simply accepting what has always been done. We reframe old problems, seek new solutions and operate comfortably in areas that are unknown. Our backgrounds are diverse, but our team shares a love of the outdoors and a desire to protect it for future generations.

Role Summary

In this role, the hardware design engineer will own electrical system design, bring-up and validation for current and next generation of Rivian electric vehicles. This would be a highly visible role working cross-functionally to influence design, contribute to solve HW/SW system integration challenges and experience complete prototyping to manufacturing product development cycle.

Responsibilities

• RF & Wireless Design & Debugging: Lead high-level wireless system requirements and execute detailed engineering tasks, including RF design trade-offs, debugging, desense mitigation, and vehicle integration. Manage troubleshooting for wireless systems, including link budget, OTA performance, RF coexistence, signal isolation, and manufacturability (Design-For-Manufacturability)
• Test & Homologation: Develop comprehensive test plans and lead bench, chamber, and vehicle-level RF testing and homologation. Interpret homologation test requirements, setups, and success criteria. Analyze end-to-end wireless performance data to drive design iterations and ensure global regulatory compliance.
• Production & Validation: Define End-of-Line (EOL) testing setups and procedures to ensure optimal manufacturability, performance calibration, and accuracy. Oversee product delivery and validation schedules, managing the release of designs into PLM and documentation systems.

Qualifications

• MSc or higher in Electrical Engineering (or equivalent experience).
• Proven expertise in defining wireless system requirements and homologation processes.
• Proficiency with RF measurement equipment (e.g., VNA, spectrum analyzers, power meters) and validation systems.
• Experience with PLM tools, task scheduling, MATLAB, and scripting (e.g., Python, C).
• Deep understanding of end-to-end RF systems, including link budget analysis, TIS/TRP, impedance matching, and hands‑on OTA testing.
• Strong communication and technical reporting skills, with a track record of cross‑functional leadership.
• Experience with antenna design, simulation tools (e.g., HFSS, CST), and characterization is a significant plus.
• Ability to travel occasionally to supplier and manufacturing facilities.

Pay Disclosure

The salary range for this role is $167,400 - $209,300 for Palo Alto, CA-based applicants. This is the lowest-to-highest salary we, in good faith, believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, shift, and organizational needs. The successful candidate may be eligible for an annual performance bonus and equity awards.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits for full-time and part-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26, including but not limited to paid vacation, paid sick leave, and a competitive portfolio of insurance benefits including life, medical, dental, vision, short‑term disability insurance, and long‑term disability insurance to eligible employees. You may also have the opportunity to participate in Rivian’s 401(k) Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program if you meet certain eligibility requirements. Full-time employee coverage is effective on their first day of employment. Part-time employee coverage is effective the first of the month following 90 days of employment. More information about benefits is available at rivianbenefits.com.

Equal Opportunity

Rivian is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information or characteristics, physical or mental disability, marital/domestic partner status, age, military/veteran status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Rivian is committed to ensuring that our hiring process is accessible for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability or limitation, such as those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, that requires accommodations to assist you in the search and application process, please email us at [e-mail].

Candidate Data Privacy and Technology

Rivian may collect, use and disclose your personal information or personal data (within the meaning of the applicable data protection laws) when you apply for employment and/or participate in our recruitment processes (“Candidate Personal Data”). This data includes contact, demographic, communications, educational, professional, employment, social media/website, network/device, recruiting system usage/interaction, security and preference information. Rivian may use your Candidate Personal Data for the purposes of (i) tracking interactions with our recruiting system; (ii) carrying out, analyzing and improving our application and recruitment process, including assessing you and your application and conducting employment, background and reference checks; (iii) establishing an employment relationship or entering into an employment contract with you; (iv) complying with our legal, regulatory and corporate governance obligations; (v) recordkeeping; (vi) ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and (vii) as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law.

Rivian may share your Candidate Personal Data with (i) internal personnel who have a need to know such information in order to perform their duties, including individuals on our People Team, Finance, Legal, and the team(s) with the position(s) for which you are applying; (ii) Rivian affiliates; and (iii) Rivian’s service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services.

Rivian may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union and in the cloud, and this data may be subject to the laws and accessible to the courts, law enforcement and national security authorities of such jurisdictions.

How We Use AI in Our Hiring Process: To ensure transparency, we want candidates to know that Rivian uses iCIMS Talent Cloud Artificial Intelligence (TCAI) and AI-enabled tools to assist with screening, reviewing, organizing and highlighting profiles and applications that match the key requirements for each role.

AI does not make hiring decisions: Qualified candidate applications are reviewed by a member of our team, and all decisions throughout the process are made by humans. We use AI to support efficiency and consistency, not to replace human judgment. We are committed to a fair, thoughtful, and equitable experience for every candidate.

Participation in AI profile matching is entirely voluntary. If you prefer that your profile not be used in this process, you can opt out at any time. Opting out means your profile will be excluded from automated matching and will not be surfaced for additional roles through this system. Your current application remains active and will not be affected in any way.

Please note that we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services.